Braided Superjersey designs

1. Secure three pairs of two strands of jersey cord to the work surface. Take the left pair into the gap between the middle and right strands.
2. Take the right pair into the gap between the middle and left strands. Pull the strands taut as you work to create a neat plait.
3. Repeat taking the left into the gap then the right until the braid is the length required.

6 strand plait

1. Secure 6 lengths of jersey cord to the work surface. Spread out so that there are four cords on the left and two on the right. *Take the left strand over, under and over the next three strands.
2. Take the right strand under the next cord on the right and then over the cord that has been woven across from the left.
3. This leaves four cords on the left again and two on the right. Repeat from * till the weaving is the length required.

Tip: If there are three strands on each side your next cord is the one on the right, four on the left and the next cord is the one on the left.

1 Cut 6 lengths of jersey cord in each of the three colours 1/3 longer than the finished lengths plus at least 5cm for finishing. So cut 6 pieces each: 65cm of yellow, 75 cm of green and 80cm of the blue.
2 Plait the cords as a three-strand plait. Use a sewing machine to stitch back and forwards across the plait to secure and flatten at one end. Trim the excess close to the stitching.
3 Mark one end of the clasp into three sections with a soft pencil. Apply a little glue inside on both edges of the first section and insert the yellow cord and use the tapestry needle to tuck in any stray edges. Repeat with the other two colours.
4 Pin to mark the lengths of the plaits – 45, 50 and 55cm. Check on a dressmaker’s dummy. Sew across the ends again and glue the other part of the fastening making sure the clasp is the right way up before starting.

A 3 cord plaited bracelet is made in the same way but with three plaits the same length. You can use the same individual colours or use two of each colour in each section of the plaited braid.

6 strand plaited necklace

You need:
Super jersey in yellow RIC9, green RIC11 and blue RIC12
Magnetic clasp F150
Gel Superglue GLU05 or other strong jewellery glue GLU07
Tapestry needle or similar
5.5mm (size 3) seed beads
1. Cut two 95cm lengths of jersey cord in each of the three colours and tape to the work surface as shown in 6 strand plait. Work a 15cm length of plaiting. Tie an overhand knot.
2. Trim one of each colour of jersey at an angle and thread about 10-12 seed beads on to each length. Create an attractive drape with the strands about 20-25cm long and tie an overhand knot again.
3. Secure the knot to the work surface and then create another 15cm length of 6-strand plaiting. Sew back and forwards across the plaiting at the top. As this is thinner it can be done by hand. Trim close to the stitching and stick each end into the fastening, making sure the clasp sections are the right way up.

To make the cuff bracelet tape the 6 jersey cords to the work surface and then add about 7 size 3 seed beads onto both yellow cords and one green cord. Plait as before but push a bead up to the edge of the plaiting before weaving those particular cords so that the beads sit on the edge as shown.